Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu projected an air of confidence at Friday’s press conference, declaring that Iran’s nuclear infrastructure and ballistic missile production had been functionally destroyed after twenty days of Israeli military operations. He denied reports that Israel had engineered US involvement in the conflict, labeling them misinformation. Netanyahu expressed strong optimism about the war’s pace and direction, saying its end was closer than most anticipated.
Netanyahu spoke with respect and clarity about the partnership with Donald Trump. He described their coordination as historically unmatched and emphasized that Trump had arrived at the conflict with a deep and self-formed understanding of Iran’s nuclear threat. Netanyahu revealed Trump had actually briefed him on certain aspects of the threat rather than receiving information from Israeli sources, a detail Netanyahu used to underscore the quality of their alliance.
The prime minister confirmed that Israel struck the South Pars gas complex in a unilateral decision. He also disclosed that Trump had requested a pause in further strikes against Iranian gas facilities, presenting this as a sign of the transparency that defined the US-Israel relationship. Netanyahu stressed that Israel’s operational freedom was not diminished by engaging with such requests.
On the Hormuz issue, Netanyahu was categorical. He called Iran’s closure threat blackmail and said it would fail. He proposed pipeline routes across the Arabian Peninsula to Israeli and Mediterranean ports as a permanent solution to the strategic vulnerability posed by the strait. Netanyahu framed this proposal as a key element of the post-conflict regional vision he intended to advance.
Netanyahu noted that Iran’s leadership structure was showing clear signs of internal fracture. Mojtaba had not been seen publicly, and Netanyahu expressed real uncertainty about who was directing Iranian policy. He saw these leadership cracks as evidence that Iran was approaching a breaking point that would hasten the war’s conclusion.